Filling apparatus for filling receptacles with grease



J. B. GALE June 28, 1955 FILLING APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH GREASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 20, 1952 INVENTOR Jay Breaks Gcz/e .BY um? ATTORNEY June 28, 1955 J. B. GALE F TLLING APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH GREASE Filed Sept. 20, 1952 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z5 INVENTOR 7 Jay BKoo/rs Gale ATTORNEY June 28, 1955 J. B. GALE 2,711,849

FILLING APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH GREASE Filed Sept. 20, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet :s

INVENTOR J y Brooks Gale BY %WW DM% ATTORNEY June 28, 1955 GALE I 2,711,849

FILLING APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WITH GREASE Filed Sept. 20, '1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Jay roe/r3 Gale BY (km-13% ATTORNEY artiste Patented June 28, 1955 FELHJG APPARATUS FOR FILLING RECEPTACLES WHTH GREASE Jay Brooks Gale, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Lube- Tube orporation, St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application September 20, 1952, Serial No. 310,714

30 Claims. (Cl. 226-23) The present invention relates to an improvement in filling apparatus and deals particularly with a mechanism for filling receptacles with grease or a similar heavy bodied material.

Grease for use in grease guns is widely produced in paper board receptacles which may be uncapped and inserted directly into grease guns or the like. Considerable time is often consumed in filling receptacles with a substance such as grease. The present invention deals with a device for filling tubular receptacles with grease or the like at a relatively high rate of speed.

An object of the present invention is to fill plastic or semi-fluid material into tubes which are long in comparison to their diameter, automatically and without air being infolded or entrapped in the material during the process of extruding it into the receptacle. Extrusion tubes are extended into the receptacles and as they are withdrawn the plastic or semi-fluid material is extruded into the receptacles. That is, the material is filled from the bottom of the receptacle upwardly, thereby forcing the air above the material being filled out of the receptacle. This is attained by the provision of supports for supporting a series of tubular receptacles in spaced relation and for guiding these receptacles beneath a rotatable filler head. The filler head is provided with a series of angularly spaced filling units which are designed to extend into the receptacles and to supply the grease under pressure thereto.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a novel and effective means of cutting off the supply of grease and of preventing the grease from falling from the filling unit during the wrong portion of the cycle. Considerable difficulty is ordinarily experienced in cutting off the flow of a heavy flowable material such as grease at the end of the filling operation. Means is provided for suddenly creating a partial vacuum in the filling unit which tends to draw any grease adhering thereto into the filling nozzle and thereby to cut off the grease flow quickly and effectively.

A feature of the present invention lies in the provision of a means of elevating the receptacles a short distance as the extrusion tubes enter into them. After the extrusion tubes are withdrawn and the material being filled has been extruded into the receptacles, the receptacles are suddenly dropped this short distance. This separates the material being filled at the nozzle of the extruding tube and the top of the receptacle. The force of a vacuum unit is then applied to the extrusion tube and the extruded material at the nozzle tip is withdrawn into the extruding tube.

An added feature of the present invention lies in the manner in which the filling units cooperate with one another during the filling process. Movement of a piston in one filling unit is designed to communicate pressure to a piston in an opposite filling unit so that they reciprocate in their action. While a given quantity of material is being measured into one filling unit, the measured quan tity is extruded by the opposite filling unit.

A further feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the mechanism for raising and lowering the extrusion tubes and the measuring pistons is actuated by the pressure on the grease or other substance filled. As the filling apparatus rotates, means are provided which measures the grease, lowers the extrusion tube into the receptacle, raises the extrusion tube out of the receptacle, and cuts off the grease supply. In this way the apparatus is considerably simplified.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure 1 is a plan view partially in section of the filling apparatus showing in general the arrangement of the parts.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a portion of the app ratus showing the means for driving the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the filling head of the apparatus.

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the volume control which regulates the amount of material being inserted.

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view through a portion of the filler head.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a portion of the head, the position of the section being indicated by the line 66 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of the multiple valve plug showing the arrangement of parts thereof.

Figure 8 is a sectional view through a portion of the filler head, the position of the section being indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the tube or receptacle supporting or conveying apparatus.

Figure 10 is a vertical section through the receptacle conveying apparatus.

Figure 11 is a top plan view of the tube supporting apparatus.

Figure 12 is a top plan view showing the automatic safety switch used in conjunction with the apparatus.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing the wiring of the apparatus.

The filling apparatus includes a frame which supports the entire mechanism. This frame includes an elongated channel shaped beam it) which is secured at one end to a curved housing plate 11 and at the other end to a housing member 12. A bracket 13 is bolted to the generally semi-circular housing portion 11 and is secured to the beam 10 to support this beam. A similar bracket 14 is secured to the other end of the beam 10 and is secured to the generally semi-circular housing member 12 for support thereby.

An inverted channel beam 15' is secured to opposite sides of the housing portion 11. A reinforcing plate 16 is secured to the undersurface of the beam 15 near each end thereof. A caster bracket 17 is secured to the reinforcing plate 16 and acts to pivotally support the caster wheel or roller 19. One such wheel or roller is provided at each end of the beam iii for supporting this portion of the frame.

A beam 2% of channel shaped section extends between opposite sides of the casing portion 12. A pair of reinforcing plates 21 are secured to the undersurface of the beam 2% near opposite ends thereof. The reinforcing plates 21 support caster brackets 22 which in turn pivotally support the caster wheels or rollers 23. Thus the frame is supported by caster wheels or rollers mounted on the undersurface of the generally parallel beams 15 and 20.

As best indicated in Figure 2 of the drawings, the casing member 12 is provided with a fiat top portion 24 connected to the wall. As shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, this flat top portion 24 is generally semi-circular in plan, a portion of the periphery being inclined or beveled as indicated at 26. The center portion of the semi-circular top 24 is notched as indicated at 27, to accommodate the conveying mechanism as will be later described.

The frame member 11 is also provided with a top flange 29 which has an opening 30 therein which is partially circular in form. The flange 29 does not form a complete circle, but does extend somewhat more than haif the distance around the circle. From diametrically opposite points the casing walls of the housing portion 11 extend parallel and the top flange 29 continues along the straight or parallel portions of the casing.

As best indicated in Figure l of the drawings the housing structure also includes a pair of spacer tabie portions 31 and 32 which act to connect the top flanges 24 and 29 of the end sections 12 and 11 respectively. The table portions 31 are usually channel shaped in form to provide strength and rigidity and the fiat base of the channel is arranged uppermost. The table portions assist in supporting the tubes to be filled as well as the filled tubes during the filling operation.

With reference now to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that I provide a motor 33 which is bolted or otherwise aflixed as indicated at 34 to the beam 15. This motor 33 acts through a gear reduction unit 35 to drive a generally vertical shaft 36. The shaft 36 supports a sprocket 3'7 upon which the conveyor chain 39 is supported. The sprocket 37 acts to drive the conveyor chain 39 as will be later described in detail.

With reference now to Figure 3 of the drawings it will be noted that the beam 10 also supports a plurality oi tubular standards 4-0 which support a longitudinally extending beam 41. The beam 41 is thus supported above the beam 10 and generally parallel thereto. of the beam 41 adjacent to the casing member 11, a cross member 42 is supported. A pair of idle sprockets 43 and 44 are rotatably supported on vertical axes 45 and 46 respectively, which are mounted upon the cross member 42.

A bearing flange 47 is supported upon the beam 10 by bolts 49 or other suitable means. This flange 47 is designed to support a tubular standard 59. The lower end of the standard 50 is closed by a closure plate 51. This standard 50 is supported by a tubular socket 52 closed at its lower end as indicated at 53 and secured to the beam 15. The standard 50 forms the main support for the filling head and also forms a hollow conduit through which the grease may flow. An elbow fitting 54 is provided on the standard 50 above the flange 47, this fitting 54 r accommodating an inlet pipe 55 through which the grease or similar material may be forced under pressure.

A packing nut 56 encircles the standard 50 above the fitting 54. A built-in bearing 57 is supported upon the standard 50 above the packing nut 56. Packing 59 is interposed between the packing nut 56 and the bearing 57. An elongated sleeve 60 is internally threaded to accommodate the nut 56. The sleeve 6% supports the rotatable portion of the filler head as will be later described in detail.

A sprocket 61 is bolted to a flange 62 of a hub 63 secured to the sleeve 6i} for rotation in unison therewith. The sprocket 61 is designed for rotation by the conveyor chain 39. As indicated in Figure l of the drawings the chain 39 encircles the sprocket 37 and extends longitudinally between the table portions 31 and 32, extends partially about the idle sprockets 43 and 44, and encircles the major portion of the sprocket 61. Thus the sprocket 61 and the sleeve 6% are rotated by the chain 39. A guide or track is provided over which the carriers for carrying the receptacles travel. This track is shown in enlarged section in Figure 10 of the drawings and is indicated by the numeral 64. The track is bent to follow the contour of the chain 39. In other words, as indicated in Figure l of the drawings, the track 64 includes spaced At the end parallel portions 65 and 66 which extend longitudinally of the table portions 31 and 32 and between the same. The portions 65 and 66 are connected by a semi-circular track portion 67. At the other end the track is curved outwardly to form an arcuate portion 69 which follows the contour of the sprocket 6. This track 64 carries a series of carriers illustrated in general by the numeral 70 and best illustrated in Figures 9, l0 and 11 of the drawings. Each carrier 7 0 includes a mounting bracket having a vertical panel 71 and a pair of parallel laterally extending flanges 7'2 and 73. The flange 72 overlies the upper surface of the track 64 and is socketed at its undersurface to accommodate a pair of adjustably positioned ball bearings 68. The bearings 63 ride in a groove 74 which extends along the upper surface of the track 64. The lower flange 73 of the bracket is likewise provided with a pair of bal bearings 75 which are supported by threaded plugs 7'6 in the flange 73 and which are held in place by set screws 77. T he bearings '75 engage into a groove 79 in the undersurface of the track 64. Thus the carrier '70 is supported by the track 64 and is held in an upright position.

The carrier 70 also includes a horizontally extending piate 89 secured to the upper flange 72 which is designed to encircle a bearing or barrel 81 arranged on a vertical axis. The barrel 81 supports a shank 82 secured to the bottom surface of a cup shaped holder 83. The cup shaped holder 83 is designed to accommodate a tubular receptacle to be filled with grease.

The shank 82 is grooved as indicated at 84 to accommodate a set screw 85. The set screw 85 acts to prevent rotation of the shank 82 in the barrel 81 and also limits the slidable movement of the shank relative to the barrel. The set screw 85 does not hold the shank 82 from longitudinal movement and by loosening this set screw the shank may be entirely removed from the barrel Si.

The shank 82 is provided at its lower end with a cam roller 86. This roller 86 is engageable with an arcuate earn track 87 concentric with the standard 50. The track 87 is provided with tapered or inclined ends as indicated at 89 in Figure 3 of the drawings. The cam track 37 acts to elevate the shank 82 and the holder 83 supported thereby during the portion of the time the holder travels about the axis of the standard 58, for a purpose which I will be later described in detail.

The track 64 is supported by any suitable means such as by the spacing arms 90 illustrated in Figure 1. The spacing arms 96 extend through vertical supports 91 which in turn are adjustably supported by nuts 92 upon the beam 41. The height of the supports 91 may be adjusted to adjust the elevation of the track 64. The brackets 79 travel outwardly of the track 64 so that the inner surface of the track may be connected to the supports 90 without interference.

As indicated in Figure 10 of the drawings, a connector 93 connects each bracket 70 to the conveyor chain 39 so as to cause the brackets to move along the track 64 in unison with the chain.

Radially extending arms 94 act to support the arcuate portion 69 of the track 64. These arms 94 connect the inner surface of the track with a hub 95 which rests upon the hub 63 of the sprocket 61 and is supported thereby. The hub 95 remains stationary while the sleeve 60 rotates within the same.

A sleeve 96 is supported within the standard 50 at the upper end thereof. The upper end of the sleeve 96 is closed as indicated at 97 and radially spaced apertures 99 are provided in the standard through which the grease may flow. The closed end 97 of the standard is provided with a transverse slot 100 therein which is designed for engagement with a stationary valve member 101. The valve member 1M includes a hollow frusto-conical body 162 which is arranged with its larger diameter end uppermost. A transverse partition 103 within the hollow valve body separates the upper portion of this valve from the lower portion thereof. The valve body is provided with a plurality of inlet and outlet ports therethrough. As shown in Figure 8 of the drawings, the valve body 101 includes a lower outlet port 104 and an inlet port 105 on the opposite side of the valve body. Both the ports 1M and 1115 are below the partition wall 103. Above the partition wall will be found an outlet port 106 and one or more inlet ports 1117.

A ball bearing 109 is supported upon the outer surface of the standard and acts to rotatably support the frustoconical lower housing end 111 The housing 110 is hollow and its interior is constantly in communication with the radially spaced openings 99 through the sleeve 96 of the standard 50. Thus all of the grease passing through the inlet pipe is directed upwardly through the standard 55, through the sleeve 96, and through the openings 99 and into the interior of the housing part 110.

The housing portion 110 is mounted upon the sleeve 6% for rotation in unison therewith. This housing part 110 is provided with a peripheral flange which is bolted to the main housing 112 at its upper extremity. The main housing 112 is provided with a downwardly projecting hollow boss 111. The main housing 112 rotates in unison with the sleeve and housing portion about the fixed standard 50, and about the valve plug or body 101. The

s arve body 112 includes an upwardly extending hollow casing portion 113 encircling the upper end of the valve plug 181. This casing portion 113 is closed at the top by a cover plate 114 having an integral upwardly projecting hollow boss 115 thereon, closed at its top by an apertured closure disc.

The valve plug 161 is provided at its lower end with a downwardly projecting axial journal 98 terminating in a flattened key engaged in the slot 100 of the standard 50.

An axially aligned journal 1118 projects upwardly from the valve plug 1191. The bosses 111 and 115 enclose the journals 93 and 1113 respectively. These bosses 111 and 115 are internally threaded to receive ball bearings 116 and threaded plugs 118 which hold the hearings in adjusted position. The plug 1111 is thus supported for vertical adjustment in the rotatable casing 112.

The main housing 112 supports a series of angularly spaced filler units, the number of these units being variable. In the construction illustrated four filler units are disclosed. However, two such units are all that are required and as the various units are similar in form and as opposite units work in unison, only two such units will be described in detail.

The main housing 112 is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed cylinder sleeves 117 and 119 which are identical in form and which communicate with the interior of the main housing. At the lower extremity each of the sleeves 117 and 119 is provided with a seal 120. An elongated extrusion tube extends through each seal 120. The sleeve 117 is provided with an extrusion tube 121 and the sleeve 119 is equipped with an extrusion tube 122. Each of these tubes 121 and 122 are open at their lower extremity and form the filler tubes through which the grease is forced. One or more apertures 123 are provided in each extrustion tube 121 through which grease may enter the tube. The extrusion tube 122 is provided with similar apertures 124 communicating with the interior of the outer sleeve 119 and the interior of the main housing 112.

The main housing 112 is provided with a laterally extending partition wall 125 which divides the interior of this housing into two separate compartments. An additional partition 128 contacts the outer surface of the valve 1 11 between the main body of the casing 112 and the upwardly extending sleeve 113. The interior of the main housing 112 within the sleeve 113 communicates through the angularly spaced ports 1117 with the interior of the valve 101 above the partition 1133. The space encircling the upper portion of the valve 101 is at all times in communication with the grease supply through angularly till . length of 6 spaced vertical passages 126. As the grease chamber at the upper end of the valve 101 completely encircles the valve and as there are a series of angularly spaced apertures 107 in the valve the upper end of the valve is at all times supplied with grease from the inlet of the apparatus.

The partition 125 is provided with a grease seal 127 encircling each of the extrusion tubes 121 and 122. The main housing 112 is provided with a cylinder which forms a continuation of each of the cylinders at the lower end of the housing. For example, a cylinder 129 is arranged in alignment with the sleeve 117 and a cylinder or sleeve 150 is aligned with the sleeve 119. The upper ends of the extrusion tubes 121 and 122 may thus move axially in the cylinders 129 and 130.

A piston 131 is connected to the upper extremity of the extrusion tube 121. This piston is slidable within the cylinder 129. A similar piston 132 is supported by the upper end of the extrusion tube 122 and is slidable vertically in the cylinder 13%. The pistons 131 and 132 act as means of raising and lowering the extrusion tubes 121 and 122 which serve as the filler tubes in filling the receptacles with grease.

The upper ends of the cylinders 12? and 13th are connected together by means of a hydraulic conduit 133. This conduit 133 passes through a central fitting 134 to which a branch conduit 135 is connected. The conduit 135 is connected to a cylinder 136 supported on the outside of the filling mechanism and best illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. The tubular conduit 135 is connected to the inlet opening 137 to this cylinder 136.

The cylinder 136 is provided with an open lower end 139 through which projects an elongated plunger or piston 141). A central tube 141 is arranged in concentric relation with the cylinder 136 and the interior of this tube is in communication with the interior of the cylinder 136 outwardly of the tube through a connecting passage M2. A hollow adjustment rod 143 is connected by a shank 144 which extends through the bottom wall of the piston 14-9 to a hand operating wheel 145. By rotating this hand wheel 145, the operating rod 143 may be rotated. The operating rod 143 is externally threaded and the sleeve 141 is provided with an internally threaded end 146 which cooperates therewith. By rotating the operatin rod 143 the rod may be threaded longitudinally of the sleeve 141 and the piston 1 50 may be drawn into or forced out of the cylinder 136.

Means are provided to prevent the entrapment of liquid between the various moving parts. The hollow operating rod 143 is provided with apertures 147 near its lower extremity to communicate with the space between the rod 143 and the body of the piston 141.. Thus the liquid between these elements may escape as the piston 1411 is urged upwardly.

The piston 14% may thus be adjusted for regulating the stroke of the pistons 131 and 132 in a manner which will be later described in detail.

A disc 141 is provided with a hub 151) secured to the upwardly projecting stub shaft or shank 108. This disc is provided with a downwardly extending peripheral cam shaped flange 151. The cam 151 is held stationary during the rotation of the filling mechanism and acts to control the movement of pistons best illustrated in Fig ure 8 of the drawings.

A pair of cylinders 152 and 153 are provided in vertical parallel relationship in the head of the filling mechanism. The cylinder 152 accommodates an axially slidable piston 154 while the cylinder 153 includes a similar piston 155. The pistons 154 and 155 are provided with tubular extensions 156 and 157 respectively, which extend up wardly from the body of the piston. The upper end of each of the tubular extensions 156 and 157 provides a socket for the accommodation of a cam roller fixture 159 or 160. These fixtures 159 and 160 are pinned to the upper ends of their respective tubular extensions so as to move integrally therewith. The upper end of each of 7 the fixtures and 14343 is bifurcated as indicated at 161 and 162 respectively. Cam rollers 163 and 164 are rotatably supported on pivots 165 and 166 which extend through the bifurcated ends of the fixtures.

The lower end of each of the fixtures 159 and 161i is socketed to accommodate compression springs and 166 respectively. A cup shaped socket 167 is provided in the tubular extension 156 to accommodate the lower end of the spring 165. A similar cup shaped receptacle 165 is provided in the lower end of the tubular extension 15? to accommodate the lower end of the spring 166. A pin or bolt 170 extends through the cylinder 152 and through the tubular extension 156, this pin being accommodated in elongated slots 171 extending longitudinally of this tubular extension. A similar pin 172 extends through the cylinder 153 and through the tubular extension 157', this pin being accommodated in elongated slots 173 in opposite sides of the extension. The cup shaped receptacles 167 and 169 bear against these pins 17% so that downward movement of the pistons acts to com press the springs 1'65 and 166.

The lower ends of the cylinders 152 and 153 communicate with radial passages 1'74 below the partition 125. Each outlet 175 from a cylinder 152 or 153 is arranged closely adjacent to the upper end of a cylinder or sleeve 119. The purpose of this arrangement will be later described in detail.

The motor 33 is actuated by current from three line wires 176, 177 and 119. These line wires are connected to relay contacts 18%}, 181 and 1%, respectively. These contacts are adapted to engage cooperable contacts on the relay arm 183 to connect the line wires with conductors 13-1, 185 and 186 leading to the motor 33 when the starting relay 157 is actuated.

The starting relay 187 includes a relay coil 18$, one terminal of which is connected to line wire 176. The other coil terminal is connected by conductor 19% to the normally closed safety switch 191. The switch 191 is connected by conductor 192 to the starting switch 193. The

.arting switch 193 is connected by conductor 194 to line wire 179. The switches 191 and 193 are in series. The motor 33 will start when the starting switch 193 is closed and will remain in operation until this switch 193 on the ety switch 131: opened. the safety switch 191 includes a casing 1% supported at the upper end of a mast or standard 196 located near the filling mechanism. The casing 195 encloses a micro switch 197 of the normally open type. The switch 197 is held closed by a reset plunger 199. The plunger we is held in switch closing position by a trigger 2%. A spring 291 forces the plunger out of switch actuating position once the trigger is released.

The trigger 2 1 is in the form of a bell crank lever pivoted at 282. A hook end 2&3 on the lever engages a suitable shoulder 294 on the plunger 199 to hold the switch closed. A projecting end 205 forms a trip lever by means of which the trigger may be actuated.

The top of each filling unit is provided with a mechanism which trips the safety switch 191 if the extrusion tube is not entirely withdrawn from the receptacle durthe time the filling unit passes over its valve ports which permit it to operate. This device consists of rods and 21.1 protruding into the measuring cylinders of each fil ng unit. Each rod is held in a lowered position y or by the compression of a spring. Each rod ed upwardly whenever the piston contained in the corresponding cylinder moves upwardly into contact with it. The extrusion tube, being connected to the piston, will he in a withdrawn position whenever the piston contacts the rod and moves it upward, as the contact is made only at the approximate extremity of the piston stroke.

The rods 1% and have knobs or enlarged parts 212 and 13 on the ends which protrude outside of the cylinder. These rods, one in each filling unit, travel in most position the plungers 210 and 211 are elevated so as to elevate the heads 212 and 213 above the level of the switch 191. However, in the event the piston 132 does not raise in the cylinder at the completion of the tube filling operation, the head 212 or 213 will be on the same level as the switch 191 so that the motor switch will be broken. As a result of this arrangement the filling apparatus will be stopped in motion if a tube does not fill with grease and if the filling plunger does not raise above the level of the tubular container.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described. The inlet connection 55 is connected to a suitable supply of grease or other material which is under pressure. This grease enters the standard 50 and can not move downwardly because of the closed lower end 51 of the standard. The grease therefore moves upwardly through the hollow stationary standard until it reaches the upper end thereof. At this point it passes through the sleeve 96 and through the openings 99 in the sleeve to enter the interior of the frusto-conical casing 110.

The lower casing portion is connected by a plurality of angularly spaced passages 126, best illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings. These passages 126 connect the interior of the lower housing portion 110 to the chamber 215 within the upwardly projecting flange 113. Thus the grease may flow into the chamber 215 without restriction and may flow through any of a series of angularly spaced passages 10'] and into the interior of the upper portion of the valve 101 above the partition 103. Thus the upper portion of this valve is always filled with grease under pressure, which tends to be discharged through the discharge port 196. In one rotative position of the head, the port 126 communicates with the port 216 in the valve enclosure which leads to the chamber 217 above the partition 125. The chamber 217 together with the chamber 219 located below the intermediate partition is positioned between the vertical passages 126 as is clearly indicated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

The grease under pressure fills the chamber 217 and acts to force the piston 131 upwardly in the cylinder 129. This action causes the hydraulic fluid above the piston to be transmitted through the cross connection 133 connecting the upper ends of the cylinders 129 and and tends to force the piston 132 downwardly in the cylinder 139. In other words, the action of the grease in entering the chamber 217 acts to withdraw the filling tube 121 from the tubular container 220 which is supported in its cup shaped receptacle 83 beneath the filling tube 121.

Downward movement of the piston 132 causes pressure to be exerted upon the grease located within the chamber 221 which is above the partition 12.5 and in diametrically opposed relation to the chamber 217. The inlet port 222 leading into this chamber 221 is closed by the valve 101, but at this point of the operation the inlet port 223 communicates with a cooperable port 1115 in the valve 101 beneath the center partition 103. As a result the grease is forced into the interior of the valve body beneath the partition 103. Grease is also forced through this body and through the outlet port 104, which at this point of the revolution is in communication with an outlet port 224 in the fixed housing beneath the partition 127. Grease may then enter the chamber 219 and may enter the sleeve 117. The grease is also free to pass through the elongated slots 123 in the filling tube 121 and downwardly through this filling tube and into the hollow receptacle 220 through the lower end of the filler tube.

in the foregoing description, it would appear that in each case the grease must travel a considerable distance to reach its destination. it should be remembered that once the apparatus is in operation, the entire interior of the filling head is filled with grease and therefore the grease need move but a short distance when subjected to the pressure of entering grease. In other words, the upper portion of the valve 101 is always full of grease and the chamber 217 is also always substantially full of grease.

2,71 r s c Thus when the ports 1% and 216 are in registry, grease enters the chamber 217 and acts through the body of grease to transmit force against the piston 131. Similarly as the chamber 221 is full of grease as soon as the piston 132 starts its downward movement grease is forced through the ports 1&5 and 223. As the lower part of the valve ltll is also filled with grease, this pressure of incoming grease is transmitted through the body to urge grease from the cooperable ports 224, int. Pressure is also transmitted through the grease in chamber 224 and the outlet tubes to force grease into the tubular receptacles 22%. As the filling head rotates the filling tube 121 is gradually moved upwardly until the tubular receptacle is filled. The filler tube 121 is shown at substantially its downward limit of travel and radually elevates until it is in its uppermost position when it reaches the right hand side of Figure 3 or reaches the position in which the filler tube 122 is illustrated. It remains in this elevated position for a short distance until it is substantially over the next adjacent receptacle 229 in the series, whereupon the cycle is repeated.

The filling operation takes place during the time the revolving filler head moves through an arc of slightly less than ninety degrees. During this movemnt the position of the port me to port 216, port 195 to port 223, and port 1&4 to port 224 is as follows: Partially open, open, and then partially closed. in other words, the ports in the revolving filling head which open into separate pas sageways leading to the various filling units pass over ports in the stationary plug valve 191. In this way the timing and operation of each filling unit is controlled.

There is an arc of ninety degrees between the end of the filling operation of one unit and the start of the process of inserting the extrusion tube into an empty receptacle by the action of the same filling unit. is passing through this are, it is inactive and its extrusion tube is in the withdrawn position, also, it is during this time that the filled receptacle is carried out of the filling cycle and an empty receptacle is carried into the filling cycle and positioned under the filling unit.

The process of inserting empty receptacles and removing the filled receptacles is done automatically by means of the conveying mechanism. The revolving filling head and the conveying mechanism are mechanically locked together in their action so that the receptacle carrier will automatically position themselves under the various filling units, as they enter the filling cycle.

When the filling tube 122 reaches the upper extremity of its stroke, it is desirable to provide some means of suddenly cutting off the flow between the filler tube and the receptacle 220. This cutting off action is accomplished by two difierent cooperable means. In the first place the receptacle holding cups 83 are elevated prior to the filling operation and remain elevated by the cam 87 until the tube has been filled. At this point in the travel, the roller 86 rolls oil the high point of the cam 87 and drops downwardly by gravity, causing a sudden downward movement of the receptacle support 83 and also of the receptacle 220. Also during the filling operation of the receptacle 22 h, the cam 151 has been engaging the roller 163 of the piston 154 and has urged this piston downwardly so as to urge grease from the lower portion of the cylinder 152 into the outlet chamber 219. At the time the receptacle 2526 becomes filled, the roller 163 travels past the high point of the cam 15]. and the springltSS suddenly returns the piston 154 to its upper limit of motion. As a result a sudden suction is exerted upon the grease in the outlet chamber 21%, thus not only suddenly relieving the pressure tending to force grease outwardly through the filler tube, but also causing a sudden upward force against the grease in the filler tube, thus preventing the escape of additional grease. This action takes place immediately after the outlet ports 1M and 2241 move out of communication.

Thus each opposed pair of filling tubes 121 and 122 While the filling unit work in unison so that as one filling tube moves down wardly into a receptacle to be filled, the other moves a corresponding distance outwardly or upwardly in the opposite tube. Similarly at approximately the time when the flow of grease is cut of to one suction tube and a suction force is applied thereto, the other tube moves into communication with the source of supply. In other words, when the tube 121 reaches its lowermost position the tube 122 reaches its uppermost position and is cut off from the supply of grease. Similarly when the tube 122 is lowered into a grease tube to be filled, the filler tube 121 moves upwardly in an opposite tube, filling this tube with grease until it reaches the upper extremity of its movement.

In order to vary the amount of grease inserted into each tubular receptacle, the apparatus illustrated in Figure 4 is regulated. The cylinders 129 and 130, together with the connecting tubes, the correction 135, and the cylinder 136, hold a predetermined volume of fluid when the piston 14% is in its upper extreme position. If this system is substantially filled with hydraulic fluid, fluid pressure is quickly transmitted from one cylinder 129 to the other cylinder 13% or vice versa, and therefore these pistons may function to provide a minimum stroke. However, if the piston 141 is lowered somewhat so as to increase the volume above the piston and cylinder 136, a certain amount of fluid flows into this cylinder and more time is required to fill the opposite cylinder. In other words, as the piston 1.31 is being forced upwardly a portion of the hydraulic fluid will fiow into the cylinder 136 before sufficient pressure will be created to urge the piston 1132 downwardly. As a result this piston 132 will move downwardly a greater distance. When this piston in turn is subjected to pressure urging the piston upwardly, its distance or travel will be increased and as a consequence, more grease will be communicated to the tubularreceptacie being filled. Thus by lowering the piston 14%, the length of travel of the filling tubes is increased, correspondingly increasing the amount of grease being dispensed.

When the apparatus is placed into motion, the manual switch 3w? is closed and the startin switch 193 is temporarily closed to energize the solenoid coil 190. The holding coil 1% remains energized by a holding circuit until the holding circuit is broken either manually or by the safety switch 195. Opening of the safety switch 195 is caused as has been previously stated by the failure of one of the pistons 13 or 132 to move to its uppermost position. Thus in the event the filler tube remains lowered, the apparatus immediately stops so that an improperly filled package will not leave the machine without the knowledge of the operator.

Automatic means may be provided for applying the tubular receptacles to the receptacle supports 83. However, these receptacle supports may be filled manually with the tubular receptacles and the filled receptacles may be removed as the supports 83 move along the table 31. Usually the empty receptacles are applied as the supports move toward the filling head along the table 32 and the filled receptacles are removed as the supports travel along the table 31.

My device functions automatically to fill the receptacles with grease at a relatively high rate of speed. The filler head is run by the same chain which acts as the conveyor so that the conveyor and receptacle supports are always in proper timed relationship. The entire filling operation is performed by pressure of the incoming grease, the filling tubes being raised and lowered by grease pressure. I also provide novel means of breaking off the filling operation by moving the receptacle and filling tube suddenly apart from one another and simultaneously applying partial vacuum to the grease supply. Means are also provided for preventing continuation of the filling operation if a receptacle is improperly filled.

As indicated in Figure 5 or" the drawings, my apparatus actually is equipped to accommodate two sets of filler tubes which operate in unison and cooperate one with the other. Only two opposed tiller tubes have been described in detail, as each pair of filler tubes are similarly arranged and function similarly. Obviously the filling head may be designed to have any number of parts of opposed filler tubes, depending upon the size and speed of operation desired.

In accordance with the patent statutes, the principles or" construction and operation or" the filling apparatus have been described, and while it has been endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, it is desired to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for filling containers with a semi-fluid substance from a pressurized sour e or": supply of the semifluid substance, the machine including a rotatable filling head, means for supporting the rotatable filling head, means beneath said filling head for support receptacles to be filled below said filling head, a pair or vertically reciprocable fill'cg tubes on said filling head, valve means controlling the flow of said semi-fluid material through said head, and means actuated by pressure of said semifiuid material for reciprocating said filling tubes.

2. The structure described in claim 1 and including means connecting the filling tubes to actuate the same alternately.

3. The structure described in. claim 1 and including a cylinder enclosing a portion of each filling tube, a piston on each filling tube within said cylinder, said valve means controlling the flow of semi-fluid material to said cylinder to act against each said piston.

4. A machine for filling containers with semi-fluid substance from a pressurized source of supply of the semifluid substance, the machine including a rotatable filling head, means for supporting the rotatable filling head, means for supporting said receptacles to be filled below said filling head, a pair of vertically reciprocable filling tubes on said filling head, valve means controlling the flow of said semi-fluid material through said head, a cylinder on said filling head coaxial with each filling tube, a piston connected to each filling tube and slidable in its cooperable cylinder, said valve means controlling the flow of semi-fluid material against one side of said pistons in said cylinders, and means connecting the opposite ends of said cylinders to transmit pressure therebetween.

5. The structure described in claim 4 and including hydraulic fluid in said other ends of said cylinders and in said connection for transmitting pressure created by one of said pistons acting in one direction against the piston in the other cylinder t move the same in the opposite direction.

6. The structure described in claim 4- including hydraulic fluid in the other ends of said cylinders and in said connection, and including means for varying the length of stroke of said pistons.

7. A machine for filling containers with a semi-fluid substance from a. pressurized source of supply, the machine including a rotatable filling head, means for supporting the rotatable filling head, a pair of vertically reciprocable filling tubes on said filling head, valve means controlling the flow of semi-fluid material through said head, a cylinder in axial alignment with each of said filling tubes, a piston connected to each said filling tube and slidable in its corresponding cylinder, said valve controlling the flow of semi-fluid material against one end of said pistons to force them toward the other end of said cylinder, the other ends of said cylinders having hydraulic fluid therein, means tor connecting said other ends of said cylinders, a chamber connected to said conuec-.

tion to receive hydraulic fluid therefrom, and means for varying the size of said chamber so as to vary the amount of hydraulic fluid forced through said connection from one cylinder to the other upon reciprocation of one cylinder.

8. The structure described in claim 7 and in which said valve means functions to direct semi-fluid material successively against said pistons to successively urge each piston toward said other end of said cylinder, said valve simultaneously communicating the first end of the other cylinder to one of said filler tubes, upward movement of each piston acting through its communication with the other cylinder to urge the other piston in the opposite direction.

9. A dispensing machine for dispensing fluid material from a source of fluid under pressure, the apparatus including a rotatable filling head, a valve controlling the flow of fluid through said head, a pair of substantially vertical filling tubes on opposite sides of said head, a pair of opposite vertical cylinders, pistons connected to said filler tubes and slidable in said cylinders, said cylinders having open lower ends, means connecting the upper ends of the cylinders, hydraulic fluid above said pistons in said cylinders and in said connection, said valve successively directing the flow of fluid to the lower end of each of said cylinders, upward movement of one of the pistons acting through the hydraulic fluid to urge the other piston downwardly, said valve also connecting the lower end of the cylinders to the interior of the filling tubes, the downward movement of either of said pistons displacing fluid and forcing fiuid through the connected filling tube.

upward movement of one piston acts to move the opposite piston downwardly which in turn causes fluid to flow through the filling tube connected to said one piston.

ll. The structure described in cliam 9 in which the filling tube supplied is the tube connected to the piston being forced upwardly.

12. The structure described in claim 9 and including a means connected to said connection between the upper ends of said cylinders to receive a portion of the fluid from said connection.

13. The structure described in claim 9 and including a chamber connected to said connection between the upper ends of said cylinders to receive fluid therefrom, and means for varying the size of said chamber.

14. The structure described in claim 9 and including means for rotating said filling head, and means for stopping said rotating means when a piston does not move upwardly to the proper extent.

15. A filling apparatus for filling fluid of high viscosity, the apparatus including a filling head, a standard supporting said filling head, a rotatable sleeve encircling said filling head, a passage through said standard through which the viscous material may be transmitted into said head, a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocable filler tubes mounted upon said head, valve means in said head controlling the flow of fluid to said filler tubes, means actuated by fluid for reciprocating said filler tubes, 21 chain conveyor, a sprocket on said sleeve about which said chain conveyor may operate to drive the sleeve, means for driving said chain conveyor, and reciprocable supports mounted upon said chain and movable beneath said filler heads in timed relation thereto.

16. The structure described in claim 15 and including an elongated table on opposite sides of said chain conveyor.

17. The structure described in claim 15 and including a track supported above said chain conveyor, each said receptacle support including a bracket carried by said track, means connecting said bracket to said chain conveyor to move the bracket in unison with the chain conveyor, a socket vertically slidably supported by each bracket, and cam means for elevating each said socket as it travels beneath said filling head.

18. A filling apparatus for use in filling liquids of high it). The structure described in claim 9 in which the viscosity from a pressure supply, including a filler head, means movably supporting said filler head, a series of vertically reciprocable filler tubes, a valve controlling the flow of fluid to said tubes, and means providing a source of partial vacuum connected to said filling head to apply partial vacuum to each filler tube as said valve cuts off the flow of fluid through said filler tube.

19. A filling machine for filling receptacles with liquid of high viscosity from a source of fluid supply, the apparatus including a movably supported filler head, said head having a series of passages therethrough, a tubular filler member connected to each of said passages, a valve controlling the flow of fluid through each of said passages, a source of partial vacuum connected to each of said passages, and means for actuating said source of supply of partial vacuum at approximately the time said valve closes the flow of fluid through said passage to substantially instantaneously relieve pressure upon the fluid in said tubular filler members.

20. The structure describde in claim 19 and including means for supporting receptacles to be filled and moving the same in unison with said filler members, and means for moving the receptacles awayfrom said filler members simultaneously with the application of partial vacuum thereto.

21. The structure described in claim 19 and in which the source of supply of partial vacuum comprises a piston and enclosing cylinder.

22. The structure described in claim 19 and in which the means for creating a partial vacuum includes a piston and enclosing cylinder, the piston being resiliently urged in a direction to draw fluid from said passage.

23. The structure described in claim 19 and in which the source of partial vacuum includes a cylinder adjacent each passage, 2. connection from one end of said cylinder to said passage, a piston in said cylinder biased away from said one end of said cylinder, and cam means for urging said piston toward said one end of said cylinder.

24. The structure described in claim 19 and in which the source of supply of partial vacuum includes a cylinder adjacent each passage, a piston in each cylinder, a connection between one end of each cylinder and its corresponding passage, and cam means for actuating said pistons.

25. A filling apparatus including a hollow standard, means for rotating said head, a valve body in said filler head, a valve in said valve body, means for holding said valve from rotation, a source of fluid supply to said standard, said head enclosing the upper end of said standard, said standard having openings through the upper end thereof to communicate fluid from the standard into said head, said valve having two separate compartments therein, said head having passages communicating with cooperable passages in said valve to communicate fluid under pressure to one of the compartments within the valve, a series of filler tubes supported by said head, a vertically extending cylinder connected to said head for each of said filler tubes, a piston in each said cylinder connected to said filler tube for raising and lowering the same, said head having a passage therethrough communicating with the open lower end of each said cylinder, cooperable ports in said last named passage and in said valve for communicating fluid under pressure from said one chamber within said valve to the lower end or: each said cylinder at a predetermined point in the rotation of said head, said cylinders being arranged in pairs connected at their upper ends to communicate pressure from the upper end of one cylinder of each pair to the upper end of the other, hydraulic fluid in the upper ends of said cylinders and in said connection so that upward movement of one piston of each pair may act through said connection to cause downward movement of the other piston of the pair, cooperable ports in each said last named passage and said valve to communicate the lower end of the cooperable cylinder with the second compartment in the interior of the valve when the first cylinder is in communication with said one compartment, said head having outlet passages connected to the interior of each of said filler tubes, said outlet passages and said valve having cooperable ports in registry when the other ports of said valve are in communication to communicate fluid pressure to one of said filler tubes.

26. The structure described in claim 25 and in which the filler tube communicating with said other compartment in said valve comprises the filler tube being elevated by fluid pressure.

27. The structure described in claim 25 and including means for varying the length of travel of said pistons in their cylinders.

28. The structure described in claim 25 and including means for relieving the upper ends of the cylinders of each pair of a portion of the hydraulic fluid therein to reduce the length of movement of the pistons in their cylinders.

29. The structure described in claim 25 and including means for applying partial vacuum to each filler tube at the time the flow of fluid therethrough is cut off by said valve.

30. The structure described in claim 25 and including an auxiliary cylinder on said head communicating with each filler tube, a piston in each said auxiliary cylinder, and means for moving said piston in each said auxiliary cylinder to draw a portion of the fluid communicating with the filler tube into the auxiliary cylinder when said valve cuts OK the flow of fluid thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,000,971 Bastian Aug. 15, 1911 2,150,760 Cozzoli Mar. 14, 1939 2,333,545 Meyer Nov. 2, 1943 2,484,101 Krueger Oct. 11, 1949 2,523,560 Cozzoli Sept. 26, 1950 2,603,398 Fischer et a1. July 15, 1952 

1. A MACHINE FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A SEMI-FLUID SUBSTANCE FROM A PRESSURIZED SOURCE OF SUPPLY OF THE SEMIFLUID SUBSTANCE, THE MACHINE INCLUDING A ROTATABLE FILLING HEAD, MEANS FOR SUPPORTING THE ROTATABLE FILLING HEAD, MEANS BENEATH SAID FILLING HEAD FOR SUPPORTING RECEPTACLES TO BE FILLED BELOW SAID FILLING HEAD, A PAIR OF VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE FILLING TUBES ON SAID FILLING HEAD, VALVE MEANS CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF SAID SEMI-FLUID MATERIAL THROUGH SAID HEAD, AND MEANS ACTUATED BY PRESSURE OF SAID SEMIFLUID MATERIAL FOR RECIPROCATING SAID FILLING TUBES. 